Where does “microlith” come from?

microlith (English) comes from English lith, from Middle English liþ, from Old English liþ, from Proto-West Germanic liþu, from Proto-Germanic liþuz, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.

microlith (English): A small stone tool; The microscopic acicular...

Definitions

  1. A small stone tool; The microscopic acicular...

Ancestry of “microlith”, step by step

microlith traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English lith

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlithA limb; any member of the body; A joint; a...
2Middle EnglishliþAlternative form of lyth
3Old Englishliþlimb, member
4Proto-West Germanicliþubend, joint; limb
5Proto-Germanicliþuza bend, joint; a body part, limb, member
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam

via English micro

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmicroSmall, relatively small; short form of...
2Ancient Greekμικρόςlittle, small
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmēy-soft, tender, dear
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el-